LIVE WELL

Your Guide to living a Better, Healthier and more Educated Life. DR BECKY'S WELLNESS COLUMN b:smart • b:healthy • b:hip b:smart -Love Your Liver & Live Longer The liver is one of the most important detoxifying organs in our miraculous bodies. Our large intestine is a conduit for elimination of waste, but the liver is responsible for the breakdown of toxic substances— it is the cleanser and !lter for the blood stream. The liver is quite sophisticated and secretes vital digestive juices that help us process and properly absorb essential nutrients. In today's world, our livers are forced into working harder than ever. When the liver is overtaxed, it will greatly impact how you look and feel and have a direct and immediate effect on your overall state of health. A woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. "I couldn't help noticing how happy you look," she said. "What's your secret for a long happy life?" "I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he said. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty over-processed nutritionally de!cient foods, and never exercise." "That's amazing," the woman said. "How old are you?' "Twenty-six," he said. dysfunction, predispose us to nutritional de!ciencies, create hormonal  DR BECKY'S WELLNESS COLUMN b:smart • b:healthy • b:hip Now that joke is funny, but there's a lot of truth to it. Chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) ranks fourth among the leading disease-related cause of death for Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. Since everything we ingest, breathe and absorb through our skin must be re!ned and detoxi!ed by the liver, special attention to cleansing, nutrition and hydration is necessary to keep the liver revitalized. The liver performs many unique and important metabolic tasks as it processes carbohydrates, proteins, fats and minerals to be used in maintaining normal bodily functions. Almost all of the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines must pass through the liver before reaching the rest of the body. The liver is strategically placed to process nutrients and drugs absorbed from the digestive tract into forms that are easier for the rest of the body to use. The liver plays a principle role in removing toxins from the blood whether they are ingested or internally produced. The liver attempts to convert all of these substances into a form that can be easily eliminated from the body. The liver can chemically modify pharmaceuticals, rendering them more or less active. The liver also makes bile, a greenish yellow "uid, which contains detergent-like substances essential for digestion of fats. The liver produces many proteins involved with blood clotting and immune system function. The liver produces certain hormones, manufactures cholesterol and helps with balance of the endocrine system. The liver is a very sophisticated organ and dysfunction of the liver manifests in several ways. Abnormal liver function can lead to the abnormal metabolism of fats, resulting in the elevation of triglyceride and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and the lowering of the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Steatohepatitis (fatty deposition within the liver) is quite common and can lead to chronic, irreversible liver damage. Liver dysfunction can also lead to various digestive problems, unstable blood sugar levels, immune dysfunction, nervous system dysfunction and hormonal imbalance. A strong liver equals improved digestion. A strong liver equals better metabolism and fat burning ability. By "ooding the body with all of the trace minerals, amino acids and vitamins that it needs, the now healthier liver can utilize these nutrients better -thus positively impacting health on all levels. A balanced nutritional program with adequate calories, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates can actually help the damaged liver to regenerate new liver cells. In fact, in many liver diseases, nutrition becomes an essential, accepted form of treatment. By helping your liver revitalize, fatigue will become a thing of the past. Healthy brain chemistry becomes part of your future. A healthy liver promotes healthy thyroid function and when the thyroid comes alive your metabolism and energy levels escalate. By helping the liver, a cascade of positive events will take place on an internal level and your body can effectively digest fats and protein and convert these nutrients into healthy brain chemicals. When your brain chemistry is aligned, you will make healthier food selections and you will tend to not overeat or crave nutritionally bankrupt junk food. Your brain will naturally guide your choices and increased energy will manifest into increased cardiovascular support and the urge to exercise. An increase in metabolism will help with our body's natural ability to burn fat and develop lean muscle. The liver has two detoxi!cation pathways called Phase One and Phase Two. The work of each of these phases requires speci!c vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals in turn need other nutrients called phytochemicals and amino acids to help them. During phase one, this pathway converts a toxic chemical to one that is less harmful but free radicals are formed. Free radicals are unstable particles that react with the body and damage the body's cells. If too many free radicals are made, they can hurt the liver cells. In order to eliminate or reduce these free radicals, our bodies need support from food containing high quality antioxidants and phytochemicals. The antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and selenium and many different phytochemicals are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. One of the most important antioxidants is an amino acid called glutathione which is produced by the healthy liver. The B vitamins including thiamine (Vitamin B1), ribo"avin (Vitamin B2), nicotinamide (Vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5), pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), folic acid, biotin and inositol are also very important in this Phase One process.  DR BECKY'S WELLNESS COLUMN b:smart • b:healthy • b:hip During phase two the liver adds a substance to the now less harmful toxin making it water-soluble so it can then be moved out of the body via the urine or feces. During this process, the liver requires sulphur containing amino acids and nutrients such as glycine, glutamine, choline and inositol. The cruciferous vegetables, raw garlic and leeks are all excellent sources of natural sulphur and enhance phase two detoxi!cation. By supporting the liver, fat metabolism can occur more readily but if the liver is overburdened and dysfunctional, fatty accumulation can occur within the organ itself. NASH or nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (fatty liver) is becoming more common as the trend of obesity overtakes our society. Many individuals who carry excess visceral fat (protuberant fatty accumulation in the abdominal area) also have a fatty liver. By naturally supporting liver detoxi!cation the liver will restore its fat "ushing abilities aid the body in overall weight control. Supporting these two phases of detoxi!cation gives our body a !ghting chance against all of the chemicals and toxins we are continually bombarded with. Embracing a solid nutritional program will help catapult the liver into optimum performance for years to come. Support your liver and live longer!!!! Here at bHIP we are committed to your well being and many of our products support healthy liver function because they assist in fueling our two main detoxi!cation pathways. To support and fuel your liver, embrace a bHIP program... So many of the nutrients in these superior products will help your liver stay strong and optimally fueled. These nutrients also support other cellular enzymatic pathways within your body that are crucial to maintaining a healthier quality of life. bHIP Products http://kevinsonlinemarketing.com/yourls/h b:smart • b:healthy • b:hip http://kevinsonlinemarketing.com/yourls/h Becky Maes MD is a Board Certifed Gastroenterologist, certifed by the American Board of Internal Medicine. For 13 years she operated a thriving private practice in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Becky graduated with honors from Hahnemann University Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed her gastrointestinal subspecialty training at the University of Arizona. She is a nationally recognized expert on the treatment for what is fast becoming a global health crisis – degenerative & in"ammatory disease, nutritional de!ciency, and cellular damage stemming from stress and various detrimental environmental impurities. Dr Becky is an internationally recognized author and speaker who educates at forums around the world on the cause and treatment of these problems. Her passion and life's purpose is to share Wellness with the World through the power of education of both children and adults. For the past 15 years Dr. Becky has devoted her efforts to studying and recommending nutritional and natural therapies for healing the body – both internally and externally. Disclaimer: Product results may not re!ect the results of all consumers of bHIP Products. bHIP Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BHIP PRODUCTS? BHIP PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT CONFERENCE CALL EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING 9pm EST/6pm PST (712) 432-7631 PIN 55414#  bHIP Products http://kevinsonlinemarketing.com/yourls/h b:smart • b:healthy • b:hip http://kevinsonlinemarketing.com/yourls/h